A/N: Thank you to my reviewers. I already had these three chapter completed, so I figured I would put them up ASAP! Since I personally hate it when authors take up so much space responding to reviews, I have personally responded to each one on my review page. You can view what I had to say there. Hope you like this, the plot thickens!
Disclaimer: I've said it before, I'll say it again, I own nothing. Aside from my little plot, there is nothing in this fic that I can or would call my own. So, please, before the legal team descends on me, I am not, nor have ever claimed any of this as my own. I do not and have never financially profited from this, and I don't own enough to make it worth the hassle of legal wrangling, (Unless you want my animals, or the beauty pageant I run). That being said; enjoy the story.
Chapter Three: A Gift For Ginevra
"Ginny, dear?" Molly Weasley called. She had just returned home from Diagon Alley. "Ginny, please come down here." She once again called up; she knew full well that her daughter was home.
Ginny had heard her mother; but quite frankly, she didn't care. No, as immature as it was, she was mad. For as many years as she could remember, long before she was old enough to attend Hogwarts, Ginny had accompanied her mother to Diagon Alley to pick out the required supplies for school. It was tradition, and it made Ginny feel important. Afterall, Molly had explained that one day Ginny would have to take her own children shopping for such things. The fact that she was not allowed to participate in this tradition broke her heart. It was as if her mother was confirming her own thoughts. Ginny would be a spinster. She knew it, and apparently Molly did, too. She would never fall in love, never marry; no she'd be alone her entire life. What man wanted to marry a plain- Jane, underdeveloped, poor woman?
"Well, I suppose its better that I learn and accept it now," she began to sulk.
"Ginevra Morgaine Weasley, get down here right now!" Molly's best howler voice interrupted Ginny's little pity-party.
Grudgingly, she made her way down to the cozy Weasley kitchen. Though she did not want to face her mother, Ginny knew better than to disobey the Weasley matriarch when she used that voice.
"There you are, dear." Molly cheerfully announced. Ginny was actually taken aback by her mother's sudden mood change. It was a well known fact that when Molly Prewett Weasley got mad, hours, sometimes even days, of fury awaited.
"Now, I know you are upset over missing the trip, but I was going for a special reason. I did not buy one school supply. We will still go for them together next week." This explanation shamed, confused, and intrigued Ginny. As if reading her daughter's mind, Molly added, "I had a meeting at Gringots, and you know how I hate having you or your brothers there. Just because we are not rolling in money they treat us like trash. You'd think they would be a bit kinder, seeing how your brother increases their wealth on a daily basis. I truly cannot fathom how Bill works for those goblins."
This revelation worried Ginny. Money always worried Ginny. Her parents recently came into some limited wealth after Molly won a recipe contest through Witch Weekly Magazine. Being the doting parents that they were, Molly and Arthur decided to use the winnings to take the whole family to Egypt. They went and visited Bill while he was stationed there working on ancient tombs as a curse breaker for Gringots. Oh, how they had all enjoyed the trip, especially Ginny. Though she was closest with Ron, Bill was definitely her favorite brother, and he in turn doted on her.
"Oh, no," she thought. "What if they overspent their budget?" A feeling of true terror washed over the girl. "What if they can't afford to send me back to Hogwarts? What will I do? Oh, how can this be happening?" The thoughts made her nauseous. This would explain why her mum was being so nice all of a sudden.
"Don't worry, dear, everything is going to be just fine." Molly's words cut into Ginny's thoughts of doom and gloom. "No, sweet pea, I had to pick up a special item. They were holding a gift intended for you, and I wanted you to have it before we became so caught up in the school preparations."
"A present, for me? I never get anything new; Mum, you haven't been into the Ogden's Fire Whiskey, have you?" The words escaped Ginny's lips before she could stop them, causing her to quickly blush. Her mother, however, laughed.
"Oh, it's okay, dear; I know how hard it is to never have anything new. Maybe this will make up for all of that a bit." She explained as she held out a small velvet box to her only daughter.
Hesitantly, Ginny took the box from her mother. She was captivated by its beauty. The soft deep blue velvet felt heavenly in her hands. It was so beautiful, in fact, that she forgot that the box itself was really just fancy wrapping, and that there was something inside it.
"Well, aren't you going to open it?" Molly's voice broke into Ginny's revelry. "Go on, dear."
With shaking hands, Ginny slowly opened the box, flipping the top of the blue velvet back. She gasped at the beauty she saw inside. There she found a necklace; the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen. It was so lovely that she was afraid to even touch it. She simply stood there examining it closely. The chain was white like in color, and she assumed it was silver. She could tell it was old; workmanship like that was not done anymore. Despite its assumed age, it held no tarnish, and it glistened. She presumed her mum or the goblins cleaned it up for her. There was also a pendant on the chain. It was made of the same metal as the necklace. It resembled an upside down, three- dimensional rosebud. It was pointed at the bottom and gradually ballooned out towards the top. A large bail held it on the chain. The rosebud was not solid; no it was actually a small cage. Ginny slipped the pendant off the chain for a better look. The rosebud cage could be opened to allow access to a small stone. It looked like a pearl.
"Go ahead, child, take out the stone", Molly urged.
At that, Ginny removed the pearl like stone. As soon as it was in her palm, it seemed to take on a life of its own. She could feel it pulsate, as if it had its own heartbeat. She felt as if this odd stone was an extension of her. She looked at it even closer. It was not a pearl. It was milky white with a fluid quality to it. The stone was a mix of opalescence and glitter. It seemed to be in constant motion.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" her mother asked; totally enjoying her daughter's awe and joy.
"Oh, yes, mum! It's beautiful. But why, and what charm have you put on it to make it look so expensive? I mean, the metal looks fabulous, almost like real silver, and that stone is awesome!" Ginny quickly fired at Molly. "There is some great magic at work here, I mean, we can't afford such things, but the magic that would be involved in modifying it; that's within our budget. Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!" she cried into her mother's extended arms.
"Take it easy, dear, slow down, and let me explain." Molly said in an attempt to calm the frantic girl down. "This necklace is an ancient family heirloom. Its only owners have been female born members of the Weasley family. You are only the third such child to own it. Your other two relatives each had fantastic destinies before them…"Molly began.
"Mum, who were they, what were their destinies? Did they fulfill them, what happened?" Ginny was frantic with anticipation.
"Don't interrupt, darling. Right now, all of that information is not very important. Let's just say that they were strong, powerful women, still revered in our world. Neither; however, fulfilled their destiny. They did not put their full trust in their respective destiny. They failed to believe that good would come out of seemingly horrid situations. As a result, each woman witnessed great loss. I believe that the third time will be the charm, though." Seeing the inquisitive look on Ginny's face, Molly went on, "Oh, but I am getting ahead of myself. No, first you must learn about the necklace, itself, and the powers it will bring you."
"Now, the necklace is not silver; it is platinum, a precious and valuable metal. As for the stone, it is definitely not a pearl. No, it is a rare stone called the `Heart of the World'. No, it's not the same as calling it a diamond, or a ruby, or such; this stone is so much more than that. No, it truly is the heart of the world; made to be worn by the woman who would fulfill her destiny, and bring peace and love to the world. That woman must posses a heart capable of pure, unconditional, complete, and powerful love. Ginny, you have that kind of heart." Molly paused to consider her daughter's reaction. Seeing amazement and confusion, she felt it best to go on with the explanation.
"Now, don't worry, you aren't being sent off on some epic journey. It is just time that you receive this gift, your destiny. A destiny that you may not want at times. I encourage you, though, to always think very hard before turning your back on it, for once you do, there is no turning back. Now, I can tell some things about this necklace and all that goes with it. As I said before, this stone is very rare. There is only one other like it in existence. Actually, they were created at the same time. They are two sides to one face. As the legend goes, two individuals come to this earth to follow the path towards greatness. If they can overcome the challenges before them, and learn to love each other, they will become the most powerful force in the world. Of course, I am paraphrasing here, and I have left out a great deal of the legend." Molly carefully explained this to her very confused child.
"What do you mean you're not telling me everything!!!?" Ginny yelled. "It's my life, my destiny. I demand the whole story!" she was steadily growing confused and angry. Molly knew her youngest, and most spirited child was about to lose all control. She quickly resumed her explanation. Years of experience told her that words, not hugs were what Ginny wanted.
"I left out information because it is your duty to discover that in time. Eventually others will explain things to you, and at times you will have to learn them on your own. I know it's confusing, dear, but remember, this is only the third time in the entire history of the world that this event has occurred. The rules are ancient, and such there have been few chances for modernization." Molly carefully regarded her daughter, then continued. "Well, where were we, oh, yes…the other stone. It is identical to yours, with one noticeable exception; it is black. It is known as `The Soul of the World'. The man who owns that stone will possess a soul that can withstand all of the problems of the world. He will suffer through hardships that would destroy an ordinary man; yet he will maintain a true sense of himself. He is your soul mate. You are betrothed to him." Molly delicately added.
"Betrothed? Betrothed? Are you out of your ever loving mind, mother?" Ginny could not hold back her anger now. If this was some idea of a joke, she wasn't laughing. A joke, that's it!!! This was one of Fred and George's pranks, and they convinced Mum to join in. "Ha, ha!" Ginny said with an air of triumph, "I see behind your little joke. Wow, I was really going for it! Fred, George, where are you. I give up, you got me!!!" She called out through the house. Her brothers did not come running. No, much to her disappointment, no one came. Her mother became even more serious.
"I know that this is hard to comprehend, sweetie. I know it sounds so archaic, but it is important that you and this man are eventually together. In some way you will both shape the future of the world. I do not know who this man is; you won't even find out who it is until the time the stones feel it is appropriate." Molly apologetically explained. "I can tell you that you might get hints from the stone. You have already realized that the stone has its own pulse, so to speak. Legend tells us that once you have the stone, you will have a magical connection to your mate, and he you. You will feel this connection much stronger than he will, at first. After all, your stone is the symbol of love. Neither of you will understand the feeling at first, either."
Molly paused for a short moment. "Yes this is all confusing and overwhelming. Now sweet pea, this is the most important part of your destiny; the first step. If you do not follow these requirements, your destiny cannot be fulfilled." Ginny could see that her mother felt somewhat uncomfortable about their conversation, but soon Molly continued. "You must always wear this necklace, but you must be discreet about it, as well. I know it is beautiful, and quite the showpiece, but you must wear it under your jumper. This pendant is well known throughout the magic world, as is its significance. You may be viewed as a valuable commodity to some wizards. You need time to come into your own. At this time, only Dumbledore knows about your little secret. Secondly, you must remain a virgin until you meet your soul mate." Both mother and daughter blushed at these words.
"Wh-what did you say? What does sex have to do with this? You mean I have to HAVE SEX with this unknown guy? Oh, mum! Well, might as well give up on this whole destiny thing now." Seeing her mother's face contort in horror, Ginny knew the woman was making up lurid scenarios in her head. She quickly added, "I don't mean because I've already done anything with anyone mum! I just meant I can't imagine anyone having any interest in me…even if the fate of the world lies upon our union."
"Oh, sweat pea, you don't give yourself enough credit. You are absolutely gorgeous!" Ginny rolled her eyes at this statement. "No, I'm not just saying that because I'm your mother. You are at an age when you feel there is nothing special about yourself, that you're plain. You'll see in time, luv, that you and your brothers, for that matter, will be fighting the boys off with sticks. Literally, in your brothers' cases." Molly chuckled at the thought of Ron chasing some poor boy around the Great Hall with a Beater's stick because the young man dared ask his little sis to a school dance.
Before her daughter could ask what was so funny, Molly turned to her little girl. "Oh, the funny moments this will bring! Now, after you have had a nice long time to think about all this new information, you can come to me with questions. Remember, though, I cannot answer many of the questions you will have. "Molly added with an air of sadness.
She gave her daughter a small hug, and got up to leave the room. Before leaving, she turned to Ginny, "I know it is a lot to absorb and understand, but this is a blessing. You one day you will become one of the greatest forces in magic history. Just don't let all of the power go to your head," she warned. "If you chose to accept this destiny, and follow its rules, your powers will grow. Every time you fight temptation you will be rewarded" With that, she left the room.
Ginny sat there quiet and stunned. She did not have any idea how to process this information. It was truly mind boggling. After close to a quarter of an hour's deliberation, she came to a rational decision. Her parents, afraid that their only precious daughter was feeling lonely and ordinary, formulated this plan to boost her confidence. They wanted to keep her from jumping into bed with the first wizard who gave her a second look. She absentmindedly scratched behind her brother Ron's pet rat Scabber's head. The little fur ball had been in the room the whole time the two female Weasleys were speaking. Yes, this was just an elaborate ruse her parents concocted.
"The plan might be far fetched and corny, Scabbers, dear", she jokingly spoke to the rat, "but you have to admit, she deserves an `O' for creativity!" With that she made her way slowly back to her room.
A/N: Okay, I hope this came out the way it was supposed to, and that you like what you're reading, again, reviews help, a lot!!!!!!! The ideas may seem far fetched, but I do have a realistic and captivating plot devised. As for some things that might not make sense…THEY AREN"T SUPPOSED TO YET!!!!!!!!!! If you knew where the story was going, and what was going to happen, what would be the point of reading or writing it? For all of you out there looking for truly fantastic fiction, I highly recommend Stepping Stones by diggingupophelia. It is sure to delight you!
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